Double Impatiens plant named `Golden Anniversary`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plant named `Golden Anniversary`, characterized by its unique and stable light yellow and green variegated foliage; large pink flowers; consistently double and symmetrical flower form; numerous flowers per plant; freely branching, dense and bushy plant habit; low-growing, outwardly spreading to cascading, and mounded plant habit; suitable for hanging baskets and patio containers; and excellent landscape performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of DoubleImpatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens walleriana, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Golden Anniversary.

The new cultivar is a spontaneous branch mutation of the Impatienswalleriana cultivar Double Pink (not patented). The new cultivar wasdiscovered and selected by the inventor in a controlled environment inDevon Meadows, Victoria, Australia in 1991, as a mutation of the uprightand solid green leaf-colored cultivar Double Pink. Asexual reproductionof the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken at Devon Meadows,Victoria, Australia, has shown that the unique features of this newDouble Impatiens are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Golden Anniversary`. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish the new Double Impatiens as anew and distinct cultivar:

1. Unique and stable light yellow and green variegated foliage.

2. Large pink flowers.

3. Consistently double and symmetrical flower form.

4. Numerous flowers per plant.

5. Freely branching, dense and bushy plant habit.

6. Low-growing, outwardly spreading to cascading, and mounded planthabit, suitable for hanging baskets and patio containers.

7. Excellent landscape performance.

The new Double Impatiens has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature and light level, without,however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceand flower color of the new Double Impatiens, showing the colors as trueas it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of thistype.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a top perspective viewof a typical plant of the new Double Impatiens.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view oftypical leaves and flowers of the new Double Impatiens. Flower andfoliage colors in the photographs may appear different from the actualcolors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown under outdoor production conditions in 16.5-cm.containers in Keller, Tex., in full and partial shade during the summer.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Impatiens walleriana cultivar GoldenAnniversary.

Parentage:

Spontaneous branch mutation of Impatiens walleriana cultivar Double Pink(not patented).

Propagation:

Type cutting.--Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--Summer: About 7 days at a temperature of 15° C.Winter: About 14 days at a temperature of 10° C.

Rooting habit.--Numerous, strong, fine, and freely-branching.

Plant description:

Form.--Low-growing, outwardly spreading to cascading, and mounded planthabit. Freely branching, dense and bushy growth. Large flowers that faceupright or outward.

Usage.--Suitable for 10 to 25-cm. containers; recommended for hangingbaskets and patio containers; excellent garden performance.

Vigor.--Moderate and moderate growth rate.

Plant height.--About 10 cm.

Plant spread.--About 48 cm.

Branching habit.--Freely branching with numerous lateral branches,branches very strong and flexible.

Lateral branches.--Length: About 21 cm. Diameter: About 9 mm. Internodelength: About 1.9 cm. Color: Translucent, light green, close to 144C,with red-purple, 59A, spots that are most prevalent at nodes.

Foliage description.--Leaves simple, generally symmetrical, abundant,alternate, and flat in aspect. Length: About 4.5 cm. Width: About 3 cm.Shape: Ovate with acuminate apex, cuneate base and crenate margin.Texture: Smooth. Color: Light yellow and green variegated leaves; greenat center with light yellow at margins. Actual shape and size of yellowand green areas is variable. Young leaves, upper surface: Yellow areas:11A. Green areas: 146A/144A. Young leaves, lower surface: Yellow areas:11A/11B. Green areas: 146B with red (dulled 178A) spots/blotches. Fullyexpanded leaves, upper surface: Yellow areas: 10C/11B/11C/11D. Greenareas: Close to 147B and lighter green, 147C, areas. Fully expandedleaves, lower surface: Yellow areas: 11C/11D. Green areas: Close to 143Cand 146B with red (dulled 178A) spots/blotches. Venation, upper surface:Similar to leaf surface color, 146B/146C, iridecent. Venation, lowersurface: 146A. Petiole: Length: About 2.4 cm. Diameter: About 2.25 mm.Color: Very light green to white.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Large pink flowers. Consistently double andsymmetrical flowers. Freely and continuously flowering. Flower buds opensimilar to a rose in fullness. Flowers arise from leaf axils, terminalbud opening first. Usually three or four flowers per lateral branch.Flowers face upright or outward. Flowers self-cleaning.

Time to flower.--Flowering generally commences four to six weeks afterplanting.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions. In thegarden, flowering is continuous from spring until fall.

Flower diameter.--About 3.75 cm.

Flower depth (height).--About 1.75 cm.

Flower buds.--Length: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About 8 mm. Shape: Ovoid.Color: 55C.

Petals/petaloids.--Quantity: Numerous, typically more than 15 Length:About 1.8 cm. Width: About 1.3 cm. Shape: Obovate with rounded apex,cuneate base and entire margin. Texture: Satiny, smooth. Color: Whenopening, upper surface: Iridescent, 55A, with purple, close to 57A, spotat base. When opening, lower surface: Iridescent, 55B/55C. Mature, uppersurface: Iridescent, 55B/55C with fine darker pink streaks, close to55A, and purple, close to 57A, spot at base. Mature, lower surface:Iridescent, 56A. Fading to: Very light pink to almost white.

Spur.--Length: About 2.75 cm. Shape: Narrow and curved. Color: Initiallygreen, close to 144A, becoming light pink, close to 55B.

Peduncles.--Length: About 2.75 cm. Angle: Upright to outwardly arching.Strength: Moderate, flexible. Color: Glossy, translucent, light green.

Reproductive organs.--None observed. Under optimal flowering conditions,reproductive organs are not observed as these structures develop intosterile petaloids. Without the development of functional reproductiveorgans, pollination and subsequent seed production are not observed.

Disease resistance: Under commercial conditions, resistance to pathogenshas not been observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Double Impatiens plant named`Golden